New Year's Eve

12/31--For New Year's Eve we went over to Chad and Julie's.  The kids were in heaven with snacks for dinner.  Ha.  

While we played games, the kids made marshmallow launchers out of cups and balloons.  There were marshmallows everywhere.  It was a fun idea, but probably one better to be done outside :)

After the marshmallow war, we decided it was time for the glow stick dance party.

Prepping their glow stick attire!

Great looking group of party animals!

Darrin had fun playing with the camera while the kids were dancing.  

Unfortunately, some of the marshmallows didn't get cleaned up, and Darrin mashed several of them into the rug and all over the floor.  Yeah.  Did I mention the marshmallow launders are better played with outside??  lol.  

Happy New Year!!!!  Spoiled little girl!  Who lets their 3 year old stay up until midnight??  Yeah. Definitely a benefit to be the youngest!

Can't wait to see what 2016 holds for our family!!

Christmas Letter 2015

For posterities sake:

Darrin—continues to design computer chips at Intel as he has for the past 11 ½ years.  He, once again, coached all three boys and their soccer teams in both the spring and fall.  He took the year off from his own soccer team to let his knee heal, but found a new hobby instead: photography!  He continues to serve in our church as 1^st counselor in the bishopric. 

Kim—still loves being the CEO of the house.  I enjoy delegating house work, baking, and blogging.  I’m still working toward my bachelor’s degree through the BYU BGS program.  I rediscovered a love for exercise/running and go to the gym every morning around 6am.  I still like to volunteer in the school although retired from the PTA board.  I still play the piano in primary every Sunday. 

Josh is 11 ½ and in the 6^th grade.  He’s in a year of “lasts” right now; last year of elementary school and last year in primary at church.  He’s excited for all the big changes awaiting him next year!  His passion is still soccer.  He continues to play goalie and forward.  He’s being strongly encouraged to develop different talents such has playing the piano and basketball.  Josh does great at school and loves to learn.  He is very close to earning his Tenderfoot rank in Boy Scouts. 

Andrew is 10 and in the 4^th grade.  He also loves soccer and playing with friends.  During recess, his favorite thing to do is play sharks and minnows.  He’s fallen victim to the ever popular Minecraft and would play it all day if he could.  He’s in the process of developing a love of reading and has finally found some books he likes.  Andrew is a Webelos in cub scouts and also is learning to play the piano. 

Luke is 7 ½ and in the 2^nd grade.  He’s still learning Spanish and is excelling at reading Spanish and English!  He loves soccer and can’t wait to play goalie next year.  He’s convinced he’s the most qualified on his team to play that position.  He also just starting playing the piano and is very diligent at practicing. 

Ella is 3 ½ and in preschool with 3 other little girls her age.  She started ballet in September and LOVES it!  She’s in her last few months of nursery at church and is excited to go to primary.  She loves to play with her friends especially when they play “baby” or restaurant.  She has her own opinions about what she wears and how her hair should be done, much to her mother’s dismay. 

We are excited for the upcoming Christmas season where we can celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We recognize His hand in our lives and are ever grateful for the tremendous blessings we enjoy.  We have been privileged to rub shoulders with you and consider each of you a blessing.  May you and your family have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!   Love, the Hancocks

Christmas Break

12/26--We went to Chad and Julie's to play games and let the kids play.  

Josh showed the cousins his Anki Overdrive.  

Ella and Jenna played Ella's new princess memory game.

12/27--We got our first "snow" after not getting any last year.  The kids had to get out and play in it.  

The amount of snow, or lack thereof, totally cracked me up.  The kids were very serious about attempting to build a snowman.  lol.  

Playing Monopoly with Dad.  

We finished our Christmas puzzle!  It's probably the hardest puzzle I've ever done.  

Josh liked helping us with it; he's definitely a true Hancock.  

12/29--We met the Smith's for lunch and bowling.  

Strike!

Later that night we had the Phillips over to play games.  We had a blast and, we're glad they were able to spend a few hours with us while they were in town!  Miss you guys!

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

Guys!!!  I'm back!  I got my research paper done for my BYU class, and now I can give priority to other projects such as the blog. It's such a relief to have it done and turned in :)

12/24--Christmas Eve!  Mike and Tanya hosted Christmas Eve this year...and by "this year," I technically mean last year. lol.  We went over to their house pretty early in the afternoon for a fabulous dinner.

After dinner we hurried over to Mike and Tanya's church building to listen to a Christmas program put on by their ward members.  It was a great way to slow down and remember the true meaning of Christmas among all the excitement for Santa and other trivial things.  We came back and read the Christmas story together and sang a few songs.

Then the kids played the candy bar game.

Ella was very set on getting the candy that she brought and was devastated when someone took it. Luckily she has great cousins who spoil her and give her pretty much anything she wants.

Next we played Bingo!  Tanya had several great prizes that we all won over several games.

For the last game, the adults cleaned out their wallets and put the money in a pot for the final prize. Luke got Bingo!

Uncle Chad carefully checked his card to see if it was legit.

It was!!!  Luke was the lucky winner of about $25!

Brittany prepared a craft for the kids while we ate cinnamon rolls and drank hot chocolate.  

The kids opened their PJs from Grandma and Grandpa Hancock!

Ella also got this yummy smelling reindeer that she loves!  She let Raegan have a turn.

After a great night with extended family, we headed home to get ready for Santa!

We took some final pictures and sent everyone off to bed!

12/25--The kids woke up the next morning around 7.  We made them wait until about 8 to wake up Ella.  And then I made them eat breakfast before we opened presents.  I'm pretty sure they were dying.  lol.  

Ready set go!!!

These two boys got new tablets.  The ones they got last year were on their last leg.  

This kid got Anki Overdrive.  

Nerf guns were popular!

And Ella was in heaven with her dollhouse complete with TONS of people and accessories.  

We had a great, low key day just playing and spending time together.  Darrin got an oil-less turkey firer, and we decided to try it out.  Unfortunately we didn't start soon enough and dinner wasn't readying until about 10pm that night.  Ha!  Definitely a Christmas dinner to remember!!!  The turkey was super good though and worth waiting for!  

Merry Christmas!